~ 2 ~ #3
We held eye contact for a few moments longer than was probably needed. I stole mine away while trying to keep my cool, as my body tingled from being this close to her.
“It’s like the first line in Pride and Prejudice,” Mathilde said from across the table, my ears tuning in at the mere mention of one of Jane Austen’s books. “A single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
“A truth universally acknowledged,” Bouchra said.
“Thank fuck we don’t have to sit around and wait to be chosen by a man anymore,” Vicky said.
“I know. Ew.” Kaira shuddered.
“Except most rich men seem to just want a trophy wife or a subordinate, deep down,” Mathilde added. “Their entitlement is so ingrained. A rich lesbian, on the other hand, she wants someone as successful as she is.”
“A lesbian wants an equal,” Lily said. “A true partnership built on love, trust, shared values, and respect.”
I nodded, wondering what else Lily thought about things.
Bouchra leaned forward. “That’s why so many women are like fuck this, if he can’t make me happier than when I’m alone, if he expects me to clean his grubby house while he sits around playing video games or whatever, I’m done dating them.”
“I’ve noticed a lot more formerly straight women on the dating scene. It’s like they’re flocking to the sapphic world,” Nell said.
“More for us then, right?” Lily grinned.
By the sounds of it, Lily was single like Nell and me.
“I’ve turned many a straight girl,” Vicky said.
Mathilde gave her a hard stare.
“Hey, you were one of them.”
Mathilde exhaled. “Then they obviously weren’t straight.”
Kaira stood, stretching her arms out.
The venue had thinned out considerably. The music lowered and the stage was empty.
“Shall we go back?” Kaira said, yawning now.
“Yep, on that,” Vicky stood. “We might be better walking back to the house. The queue for taxis was a nightmare last night, being that there are hardly any.”
The seven of us strolled along the waterfront promenade which would take us to the foot of the steps leading up to our villa. Lily walked beside Nell. They talked enthusiastically. We came across a trampoline, however, and immediately found ourselves throwing our shoes off and piling on it.
“Oh my God, this is so cool!” Kaira bounced the highest, exclaiming in her delight. “I’m having a second wind.”
We jumped around like little kids, bumping into each other and laughing. Not sure I would have done this sober. It was all kind of hazy and so much fun.
Lily masterfully balanced herself, to my left. Her core strength clearly showing up for her. The rest of us wobbled about like daffodils in the wind.
I bounced into Lily by mistake. “You’re the only one of us who looks remotely in control of themselves right now.”
“Nah, I’m just worried about pulling another muscle or something. Been there too many times to go through it again.”
“I get that.” I held onto her waist in an effort to steady myself, acting way bolder than I felt.
Lily smiled. “I wish I could not worry about that stuff though.”
I put another hand on her waist now, feeling a jolt of electricity go through my body, making me feel even more unsteady.
“Are you okay there?” Lily looked into my eyes.
“Yep, just getting my balance and blatantly leaning on you.” I took a breath. “Do you want to try and bounce together?”
We looked at each other for a moment as this energy ran between us.
“Okay. Let’s do it,” Lily said.
At that, we locked forearms and jumped in tandem, grinning and smiling. I became giddy.
“Right, girls! What the hell are we doing. I’m getting off. No one fall and break an arm.” Mathilde knelt and awkwardly slid off the trampoline.
The rest of us followed her, even more awkwardly, except for Lily, who dismounted gracefully. Kaira was last to come down, having not stopped smiling and bouncing.
Back at the house, the energy was still up.
“I’m going to make some pasta. Who wants some?” Mathilde announced. “Save us all from being hungover tomorrow. To be honest, I’m already feeling a little hungover.”
Noises of approval went around the group.
“I’ll help you, Tilly.” Bouchra joined Mathilde in the kitchen.
Lily looked at me, a bit surprised.
“We do everything as a group. I guess it’s kind of odd.”
“No, it’s lovely. You guys are wonderful.”
We chilled out in the fancy lounge while pots clanged. I couldn’t take my eyes off Lily. Mathilde and Bouchra served bowls of pasta carbonara to anyone who wanted one. We ate in a comfortable silence. Everyone was winding down after a big night and a busy day getting settled into the villa.
After the food, most of us were falling asleep on various chairs and sofas around the open-plan room.
“See you tomorrow. I’ll be dead to the world for the next twelve hours at least,” said Vicky, shuffling towards her bedroom on Mathilde’s arm.
Everyone drifted off to bed after that. I lay awake on my bed listening to the quietness of the villa, replaying the night’s events in my mind, smiling to myself, looking so forward to waking up tomorrow and spending more time with Lily; the star who had shone brightest for me all night.